In Nantou, Taiwan, a Midnight Window Opening Reveals a "Super Long Wriggling Creature" - Expert Says: No Need to Fear

During the night, visibility can be poor, and sometimes people are startled by the sights outside their windows. Recently, a netizen shared an experience of walking into the kitchen at night, only to realize that a suspicious man was peering in through the window. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a chilling misunderstanding.

In Nantou, Taiwan, a resident preparing for bed was shocked when they opened their curtains to close the window, only to find a large snake clinging to the screen. The smooth, pale belly of the snake was right in front of them, causing an immediate panic and prompting them to scream and rush out for help. Fortunately, when family members went outside to investigate, they found that the approximately 1.5-meter-long plump white snake had vanished.

The Biodiversity Research Institute of Taiwan's Council of Agriculture identified this snake as a Red-banded Snake (Lycodon rufozonatus), which is non-venomous and does not pose a threat to humans. They noted that encounters with these snakes outside homes should not cause excessive alarm. The institute explained that snakes may climb screens for various reasons, such as searching for food or simply passing by. They encourage residents to adopt a coexistence mindset.

For those who are particularly fearful of snakes, it is advisable to maintain cleanliness around their homes and reduce clutter to minimize the chances of snake encounters. According to environmental research centers, many researchers prefer to observe the common Red-banded Snake from a distance due to its defensive behavior; when captured, it can release foul-smelling substances from its cloaca as a defense mechanism.

The nocturnal Red-banded Snake is known for its diverse diet among Taiwan's generalist snakes, preying on various animals including mice, birds, lizards, frogs, toads, fish, and even other snakes like the venomous Green Tree Viper. This adaptability makes it one of the most common snakes encountered at night in Taiwan.